Every morning, I get a devotional in my mailbox by Tozer. I became a big Tozer reader when I was living and serving at Jesus People USA -- Glenn Kaiser turned me on to his writings. This guy doesn't pull punches; he cuts to the quick.
This morning's devotion really hit home with me. As most of you know, I am part of a "seeker-driven" church and it is our desire that people will find community in each other as they seek relationship with Jesus and will grow in both community and with Christ as a result.
This morning, Tozer showed me a beautiful picture of how true community comes about. I thought I'd share it with you.
Happy Monday. :)
The Church: 100 Pianos
..that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You,that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. --John 17:21
Someone may fear that we are magnifying private religion out of all proportion, that the "us" of the New Testament is being displaced by a selfish "I." Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So one hundred worshippers meeting together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be were they to become "unity" conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship. Social religion is perfected when private religion is purified. The body becomes stronger as its members become healthier. The whole church of God gains when the members that compose it begin to seek a better and a higher life. The Pursuit of God, page 90.
"Lord, let this start with me. Give me a closer walk with You today. Then as a leader enable me to encourage others as well, individually, so that all to whom I minister might be in harmony as we individually are close to You. Amen."
About Me
- Joyce
- I'm just an ordinary woman who loves an extraordinary God. I'm happily married and crazy in love with my adorable and hilarious husband, Jeff. My passion is seeing people receive healing and wholeness from Jesus ... nothing humbles or excites me more than being at the feet of my King watching Him do the amazing things only He can do. I am insanely and more-than-extravagantly blessed and surrounded by some of the most amazing friends I have ever known, all met at Crossroads in a city where I didn't know a single soul. Incredible. I am spontaneous, loud, borderline obnoxious, compassionate, kind, a quick and frequent laugher, and the queen of procrastination. I spend my life laughing in the face of storms and flying by the seat of my pants.
2 comments:
Joyce thank you for sharing such insight...beautiful words.
Wow, that's cool. So simple and profound. I've been seeking- really seeking- God lately, and it really has drawn me closer to the people around me who are also seeking. It's automatic.
It reminds me of something I heard the Philadelphia Calvary Chapel pastor say once. He said, "people ask about our outreach program. We don't have one. We believe that healthy sheep reproduce. That's our outreach program."
If we all focus on that one thing- knowing God, walking with Him, loving Him...the other things fall into place. I gues that's why "love God" is the most important command, and "love people" comes next. Thanks, Joyce!
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